Roberto Martinez decided to give Leon Osman a start in the hole instead of talented youngster Ross Barkley. The senior Everton midfield man did nothing in his performance to justify this choice on the part of his manager. It was almost as if Martinez looked to a wiser head given the magnitude of the opposition. If Barkley is to have to the bright future that is predicted for him, the Toffees may as well blood him in big games. One way or another he will end up playing in them anyway. It's an easy decision to say Martinez got wrong because of the extra dimension Barkley added when he came on and played between the Tottenham lines. Osman meanwhile has arguably played his best football deeper. Martinez splashed out big in the summer to land James McCarthy from old club Wigan Athletic and loaned Gareth Barry in from Manchester City on transfer deadline day, so that may no longer be possible. Osman has even done a job out wide before. Perhaps Martinez could accommodate him there if Pienaar or Mirallas flop badly again like they did here. If this goalless draw taught us anything it's that Barkley has made the number ten role his own at Everton.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
